ForumCiv, CSO strategy, 2023-2025

Sida assesses that the Swedish Partnership Program (SPP) has high relevance for both target areas of the CSO strategy, i.e. strengthened capacity of actors in developing countries and promotion of a favorable social climate for civil society organizations in low- and middle-income countries. The program can be expected to contribute to all goal formulations within the goal areas, especially those relating to the rights perspective, awareness/commitment/capacity and diversity. ForumCiv's efforts to strengthen its platform for cooperation for both capacity development and advocacy work have good potential to contribute to strengthened cooperation between civil society actors. ForumCiv estimates that 300-400 organizations will have agreements with Swedish organizations within SPP. Over the years, ForumCiv has played a unique role within the CSO strategy through its strong and broad anchoring in Swedish civil society. The breadth of Sweden has enabled collaborations with a great diversity of civil society actors in low- and middle-income countries - including grassroots organizations. ForumCiv has contributed to strengthened capacity of rights holders and civil society organizations to demand their rights and there are good examples of their work influencing policies and legislation. An external evaluation from 2021 further confirms that Swedish organizations within SPP overall have a clear added value and contribute to the results achieved. Before the new program period, ForumCiv has developed a common and cohesive structure for all development cooperation. A range of new policies, working methods and tools will be launched with the new programme. Results follow-up, learning and integration of development perspectives are some areas where major changes will be implemented. Sida's overall assessment is that ForumCiv has systems in place to carry out operations, report on results, ensure good internal management and control, and has raised its ambitions in terms of performance management.